Two in Five Canadians Say their Employer does not Support an Active Lifestyle
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TORONTO, March 26, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The typical eight hour workday is a long forgotten concept for a vast number of Canadians in today's workforce. According to the most recent global Workmonitor study by Randstad Canada, the country's largest staffing, recruitment and HR services company, 40% of Canadians feel like their employer doesn't support a healthy lifestyle - and even more Canadians (56%) feel like their employer does not support a mentally fit lifestyle by, for example, providing a job coach or a mentor.

Virtually all Canadians (96%) say that having a good work-life balance is the number one priority for a healthy lifestyle, but having this balance may be far from reality for most. With work demands intensifying as employees try to advance their skills, in combination with increased demands while on the job, heading out to play basketball or run a few laps is becoming increasingly difficult for many workers. What companies may not be considering is how a lack in physical and mental stimulation can affect the end product, as three in four Canadians say they perform better at work when they work-out or play sports regularly.

However, even though workers are staying late and bringing their jobs home on the weekend, they are trying to fit in physical fitness where they can. Seventy-five per cent of workers opt to take the stairs instead of pressing the elevator button throughout the day.

"It is not a surprise to see so many Canadians taking their health and wellness into their own hands. Improving work-life balance is a common theme for workers from all generations, career levels and industries, and one employers need to make a priority." says Lauranna Ji, Health and Safety Manager, Randstad Canada. "With many companies working with similar or smaller budgets than last year, a healthy lifestyle for their employees is often overlooked in the pursuit for a better bottom line. However, offering health and wellness incentives, such as a mentorship program, lieu days for extra time worked or a discounted company gym membership, are all ways that companies can show their workers they understand the demands of today's world of work and are invested in their wellbeing."

As people continue to pay closer attention to the ingredients that are in prepared and convenience foods, half of Canadian workers do believe that employers are promoting healthy food options for their workers on the job. When it comes to staying mentally fit, employees would like to see more opportunities to speak to a mentor or a job coach, as only 43% of workers say these opportunities are available to them. When it comes to taking time away for personal reasons, more than three-quarters (79%) of Canadian employees say their employer is supportive - and if time-off is needed to take care of a family member, nearly as many (68%) say their employer would be supportive. The survey also revealed how important the family unit is to Canadians, as nearly 70% of Canadians say they would quit their job if their employer did not let them take time off to take care of a family member.

Japanese Employees Feel the Most Overworked Globally

Around the world, Japan has the lowest score (37%) of all the countries when it comes to feeling like they have enough energy to go to work - a direct result of feeling overworked. At the other end of the spectrum, the vast majority of workers in India (94%) say they have enough energy to go to work every day. Those from India had a positive perspective about their employer's overall, saying their employers are supportive when it comes to promoting a healthy lifestyle (82%) as well as taking time for personal reasons (82%).

The majority of Canadians (89%) say they have enough energy to go to work, and similar scores are seen in the United States (86%) and UK (82%).

"Healthy employees, physically as well as mentally, make for better performers, and thus contribute more to the overall business goals. Employers who promote work-life balance and a healthy lifestyle have a better chance of attracting and retaining productive workers, and are more likely to see their employees committed to driving business results every day." adds Ji.

About Workmonitor: The Randstad Workmonitor was launched in 2003, and now covers 33 countries around the world, encompassing Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The Randstad Workmonitor is published four times a year, making both local and global trends in mobility regularly visible over time. The quantitative study is conducted via an online questionnaire among a population aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimal sample size is 400 interviews per country, using Survey Sampling International. Research for the 1st wave in 2014 was conducted January 13-30, 2014.

About Randstad Canada: Randstad Canada is the Canadian leader for staffing, recruitment and HR Services. As the only fully integrated staffing company in the country, we understand the recruitment needs and demands of employers and job seekers across all levels and industries. Through our insightful knowledge of local markets, employment trends and global network of recruitment experts, we are shaping the Canadian world of work. Visit randstad.ca